Autopsy results for family killed in crash could be released today
The causes of death for a woman and four children who died in a fiery car crash in the Central Valley could be released as early as Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Fresno County coroner said.
While the autopsies have been performed, “we’re probably going to wait for toxicology to come back for carbon monoxide” test results, deputy coroner Sarah Davis said Tuesday. “We don’t have cause of death just yet.”
Authorities believe the crash was caused by another motorist who ran a stop sign. The victims were identified as Esmeralda Saucedo, 29; Isaac Saucedo, 1; Nikko Saucedo, 3; Jada Saucedo, 6; and Breanna Reyes-Saucedo, 11.
Saucedo’s husband, who was driving behind the family in another car, watched the incident unfold and struggled to help.
The autopsies will be used to determine whether the five who died were killed by the impact of the crash, from the flames or by some other way.
Saucedo’s Ford SUV burst into flames after the crash, which occurred about 7 p.m. Saturday at an intersection in Riverdale. The father broke out windows of the Ford in an attempt to free his family and received burns in the process.
The driver of the car that allegedly ran the stop sign was identified by the California Highway Patrol as 41-year-old Juana Martinez Bejarano, who was taken to a hospital. She was listed in fair condition Monday.
Authorities said drugs, alcohol and speed do not appear to have been a factor in Bejarano’s crash, but they are investigating any possible medications she may have taken.
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